The US Senate approves a resolution limiting Trump’s war powers against Iran

US Senate Democrats on Tuesday passed a resolution limiting President Donald Trump’s authority to launch military action against Iran without congressional approval, after seven previous failed attempts.

The bill passed with 50 votes in favor and 47 against, after four Republicans joined the Democratic bloc.

These Republicans were: Susan Collins, Lisa Murkowski, Rand Paul, and Bill Cassidy.

Democratic Senator John Fetterman abstained from supporting the resolution, making him the sole opponent from within his own party.

It’s worth noting that this vote is the first of its kind for Senator Cassidy in favor of a resolution related to war powers, just days after he failed to qualify for the second round of the primary elections in Louisiana, where Trump endorsed one of his rivals.

Three Republicans abstained, tipping the scales in favor of the Democrats, as the three abstentions were John Cornyn, Tommy Tuberville, and Thom Tillis.

This abstention tipped the balance in favor of the Democrats for the first time since their repeated attempts to limit the president’s powers on the Iran issue began.

The bill, spearheaded by Democratic Senator Tim Kaine, requires President Trump to withdraw US forces from any hostilities against Iran, except in the event of a formal declaration of war or explicit authorization from Congress for the use of force.

Although this vote is only a first step in the Senate, and Trump is expected to veto the resolution even if both chambers pass it, Democrats see the move as having symbolic significance and the ability to influence the president’s calculations about the war.

Kaine told reporters before the vote that he couldn’t guarantee additional support from Republicans, adding, “I didn’t expect us to get another one last week”.

He explained that what unites everyone is what they hear from voters: “They are strongly opposed to this war”.

The vote came hours after Trump announced on Monday that the United States wouldn’t carry out planned strikes against Iran, even though he said he was an hour away from ordering new attacks.

Sen. Kaine believes this threat makes the timing perfect for a serious debate in Congress about the justifications for war.

Economic losses and rising fuel prices are at the heart of the opposition, and Kaine pointed out that the war poses not only a military threat but also significant economic costs.

He said, “We’re approaching Memorial Day weekend… Many will be driving long distances and paying exorbitant fuel prices, much higher than last year, and they haven’t forgotten that”.

He added that public opposition to the war is now noticeably rising, and continued optimistically, “This public pressure will ultimately lead us to pass the resolution… Will it happen today? I don’t know, but it’s inevitable”.

Before the vote, Democratic minority leader Chuck Schumer called on Republicans to “be honest with themselves,” saying: “Last week, another Republican joined us… Republicans, it’s time to break this cycle… Support the War Powers Resolution… No president, whoever he may be, should drag this country into war on his own”.